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Second Severn Crossing
Severn Beach MMB 08C Second Severn Crossing.jpg
The bridge as viewed from Severn Beach (England)
Coordinates 51°34′28″N 2°42′06″W / 51.5745°N 2.7016°W / 51.5745; -2.7016 (Prince of Wales Bridge (approximate midpoint))
Carries M4 motorway (6 lanes)
Crosses River Severn
Locale South West England/South East Wales
Official name Prince of Wales Bridge
Maintained by Highways England
Characteristics
Design Central span: Cable-stayed bridge
Approach viaducts: Segmental bridge
Total length 5,128 metres (16,824 ft)
Width 34.6 metres (113.5 ft)
Height 137 metres (449 ft)
Longest span 456 metres (1,496 ft)
Clearance below 37 metres (121 ft)
History
Opened 5 June 1996; 28 years ago (5 June 1996)
Statistics
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The Second Severn Crossing (Welsh: Ail Groesfan Hafren) is a bridge over the River Severn between South Gloucestershire in England and Monmouthshire in Wales.

The bridge carries the M4 motorway and is one of the main routes into South Wales. It was opened on 5 June 1996 to allow more traffic than the original Severn Bridge, which opened in 1966. Both bridges are still in use although the newer crossing is more direct and less likely to be closed in strong winds.


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